Once a Doormat Now Untouchable (Caleb and Sydney) novel Chapter 272

**When The Ocean Learned My Name and Whispered It Back to You**
**by Aurelia**
**Novel 272**

**Chapter 272**

Sydney felt utterly depleted, her body heavy with exhaustion. The vibrant, energetic young woman she once was had been reduced to a shell, drained by the relentless demands of her job. Even the thought of kissing or cuddling seemed like a distant memory, overshadowed by her fatigue.

Julian, perched casually on the edge of her bed, shot her a cool, assessing glance. “Then go take a shower. Or are you waiting for me to sing you a lullaby?” His tone was teasing, but there was an undercurrent of sincerity that made her heart flutter.

‘A lullaby,’ she mused, her thoughts drifting back to a time long past.

It was a night etched in her memory—the night her parents had tragically passed away. A fierce thunderstorm had roared through Brimcrest City, rattling windows and shaking her very soul. Since that night, storms had become her nemesis, bringing with them nightmares that haunted her sleep.

Julian had been her anchor during those dark times. He would sit beside her bed, his hand warm and comforting against her back, humming softly until her restless mind finally succumbed to slumber.

With a swift shake of her head, Sydney pulled herself from the bittersweet memory. “I’ll shower first then. Make yourself at home,” she replied, her voice steadier than she felt.

As long as he kept his distance and didn’t pull her into anything more than this gentle banter, he could do as he pleased.

When she emerged from the bathroom, the sight before her made her heart skip a beat. Julian lay sprawled across her bed, completely at ease. She had meant it when she said he could make himself at home, but seeing him there, claiming the left side of her bed, sent a jolt of surprise through her.

He must have slipped away to his place, changed into those luxurious silk pajamas, and returned without her noticing.

Ever since childhood, she had claimed the right side of the bed as her own. Where she ended up after rolling over in her sleep was a different story altogether, but the left side had always felt foreign to her.

As she stood there, rooted to the spot, she noticed the shadows under his eyes—dark, bruised hollows that spoke of sleepless nights, even more pronounced than her own after a long night of work.

He had flown straight from Malbrosia to Jouleston without a moment’s respite, and the evidence was written all over him.

Quietly, she lingered in the doorway, a faint smile tugging at her lips as a soft laugh bubbled up from within her.

The man on the bed stirred, his hand shooting out instinctively to catch her arm. In one fluid motion, he pulled her close against his chest. His voice was thick with sleep, gravelly and warm. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” she replied quickly, her cheeks warming.

She couldn’t very well confess that her mind had wandered back to that mischievous night when she had drawn a turtle on his face while he slept soundly.

Marcus nodded, his expression grave. “Word is, someone saw him meeting with Penelope a few days ago. If he’s left, chances are he’s joined her.”

“Trust Penelope to have endless tricks up her sleeve,” Sydney thought, a mix of frustration and admiration swirling within her.

Just yesterday, she had managed to root out a mole in the lab, and now, Penelope had already snatched someone from under her nose. It was clear she was gearing up to assemble her own research team, and Sydney couldn’t help but feel a twinge of competitive spirit.

“Everyone has their own path,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Ryan had always been competent with outpatients, but drug development was a different beast altogether.

If Penelope and her crew managed to succeed, it would be their victory, not hers. Sydney had no further comments to make on the matter.

By noon, Marcus was still buried under a mountain of work, so Sydney decided to head to the project site on her own.

Just as she was about to step into the lab, Henry appeared, his expression apologetic. “Ms. Wilson, I owe you an apology about yesterday. If I’d known those two men were so petty, I’d never have assigned them to your team.”